(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Adapted from teleplays for the PBS television series. In this rather predictable, formulaic story, Buster steals a CyberToy and hides it in Arthur's backpack, unbeknownst to Arthur. The two boys try to sneak it back into the store. As in the other Arthur chapter books, the characters learn valuable lessons from their mistakes.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. When Arthur's piano teacher retires, Arthur gets off to a rocky start with his new, demanding teacher and must decide for himself how much he wants to play the piano. The twenty-ninth Arthur chapter book is a mildly entertaining lesson about self-motivation. The story, based on a television episode, has serviceable black-and-white illustrations.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Assuming that Buster must dread the upcoming Father's Day picnic because his parents are divorced and his father isn't around, Arthur is so busy trying to find a substitute that he ignores Buster's true feelings. As with other books in the series, this story is based on a teleplay and relies on reader familiarity with characters and setting. The lesson stands out from the rather bland storytelling.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Arthur and pals dare one another to skip school. At the last minute, all but Francine get cold feet; however, there are unforeseen consequences for everyone. While the situation seems more relevant to older readers, the resolution is convincing and the lesson learned is clear. The twenty-fifth entry in this series features serviceable storytelling. Black-and-white drawings portray the familiar characters.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Based on scripts for the popular TV show, these two books feature straightforward and predictable plots that rely on readers' familiarity with the characters. In No-Brainer, Buster defeats the Brain in a math competition. In Comet, Buster discovers one and predicts it will crash into Earth. Black-and-white drawings accompany the text. [Review covers these Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book titles: Arthur and the Comet Crisis and Arthur and the No-Brainer.]

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Adapted from teleplays for the PBS television series and successfully transformed into chapter books, Arthur and the Crunch Cereal Contest, Arthur Accused!, and Locked in the Library! are offered together in one volume. The predictable stories are illustrated with a few black-and-white drawings and have a lesson to teach, but Arthur, D.W., and the gang are their usual lively selves.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Adapted from teleplays for the PBS television series and successfully transformed into chapter books, Arthur and the Crunch Cereal Contest, Arthur Accused!, and Locked in the Library! are offered together in one volume. The predictable stories are illustrated with a few black-and-white drawings and have a lesson to teach, but Arthur, D.W., and the gang are their usual lively selves.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Book series. The stories in this new series have a sports theme: learning about competition, cooperation, self-confidence, and teamwork. The writing is solid and the morals prominent, although the books, illustrated with black-and-white drawings, depend on readers' having met the characters previously. [Review covers these Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Books titles: Arthur and the Best Coach Ever, Arthur and the Goalie Ghost, Arthur and the Race to Read, Arthur and the Recess Rookie, Arthur and the Seventh-Inning Stretcher.]

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Book series. After bragging about his basketball prowess to his new pen pal, Arthur is terrified when he learns the boy is coming to visit--and wants to play basketball. Arthur and young readers learn a lesson about telling the truth in this story that is both believable and predictable. Fans will find familiar fare here. Black-and-white drawings accompany the accessible text.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Book series. The stories in this new series have a sports theme: learning about competition, cooperation, self-confidence, and teamwork. The writing is solid and the morals prominent, although the books, illustrated with black-and-white drawings, depend on readers' having met the characters previously. [Review covers these Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Books titles: Arthur and the Best Coach Ever, Arthur and the Goalie Ghost, Arthur and the Race to Read, Arthur and the Recess Rookie, Arthur and the Seventh-Inning Stretcher.]

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Book series. The stories in this new series have a sports theme: learning about competition, cooperation, self-confidence, and teamwork. The writing is solid and the morals prominent, although the books, illustrated with black-and-white drawings, depend on readers' having met the characters previously. [Review covers these Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Books titles: Arthur and the Best Coach Ever, Arthur and the Goalie Ghost, Arthur and the Race to Read, Arthur and the Recess Rookie, Arthur and the Seventh-Inning Stretcher.]

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Book series. The stories in this new series have a sports theme: learning about competition, cooperation, self-confidence, and teamwork. The writing is solid and the morals prominent, although the books, illustrated with black-and-white drawings, depend on readers' having met the characters previously. [Review covers these Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Books titles: Arthur and the Best Coach Ever, Arthur and the Goalie Ghost, Arthur and the Race to Read, Arthur and the Recess Rookie, Arthur and the Seventh-Inning Stretcher.]

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Book series. The stories in this new series have a sports theme: learning about competition, cooperation, self-confidence, and teamwork. The writing is solid and the morals prominent, although the books, illustrated with black-and-white drawings, depend on readers' having met the characters previously. [Review covers these Marc Brown Arthur Good Sports Chapter Books titles: Arthur and the Best Coach Ever, Arthur and the Goalie Ghost, Arthur and the Race to Read, Arthur and the Recess Rookie, Arthur and the Seventh-Inning Stretcher.]

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Books eighteen, nineteen, and twenty in the series are adapted from teleplays for the PBS television show. Illustrated with shaded black-and-white line drawings, the stories revolve around school, family, and relationships, and all end happily as the children involved learn a lesson. The stories read briskly and the appeal is based on familiarity rather than literary quality, but the writing is solid.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Books eighteen, nineteen, and twenty in the series are adapted from teleplays for the PBS television show. Illustrated with shaded black-and-white line drawings, the stories revolve around school, family, and relationships, and all end happily as the children involved learn a lesson. The stories read briskly and the appeal is based on familiarity rather than literary quality, but the writing is solid.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. In this story adapted from a teleplay for the PBS television show, Arthur and the gang search for whoever is responsible for writing "Binky Rules" all over school property. The children solve the mystery and save their friend Binky's reputation. This book features a predictable plot and characters, a clear lesson, and an accessible layout for younger readers.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Adapted from teleplays for the PBS television series. Arthur and his friends face typical elementary school adventures, from which they learn lessons about friendship, popularity, kindness, or accepting challenges. There is little character development--it's assumed readers know the characters already--but the predictable stories will appeal to children looking for the comfort of literary friends. Black-and-white line drawings accompany the texts.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Adapted from teleplays for the PBS television series. Buster worries that he won't pass the third grade, and classmates make Muffy believe she has a secret admirer. Illustrated with black-and-white drawings, both stories have satisfying, if predictable, endings. Though the plots are formulaic and the characterizations sketchy (it's assumed readers know the characters already), the stories will appeal to fans.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Books eighteen, nineteen, and twenty in the series are adapted from teleplays for the PBS television show. Illustrated with shaded black-and-white line drawings, the stories revolve around school, family, and relationships, and all end happily as the children involved learn a lesson. The stories read briskly and the appeal is based on familiarity rather than literary quality, but the writing is solid.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(4) 1-3 Marc Brown Arthur Chapter Book series. Adapted from teleplays for the PBS television series. Buster worries that he won't pass the third grade, and classmates make Muffy believe she has a secret admirer. Illustrated with black-and-white drawings, both stories have satisfying, if predictable, endings. Though the plots are formulaic and the characterizations sketchy (it's assumed readers know the characters already), the stories will appeal to fans.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth